Spinning the week
What a fantastic week it's been!
MoE treats visitors to night-time shopping experience
Government grants free holiday to 20,000 expat secretaries
Radio listeners win a free trip to Dubai
3,500 workers hold a big celebration in Sonapur
Supermarkets offer exciting variety of prices
Bonfire fun for bachelor boys
Kind-hearted cabbie gives lady free ride to government hotel
MoE treats visitors to night-time shopping experience
Government grants free holiday to 20,000 expat secretaries
Radio listeners win a free trip to Dubai
3,500 workers hold a big celebration in Sonapur
Supermarkets offer exciting variety of prices
Bonfire fun for bachelor boys
Kind-hearted cabbie gives lady free ride to government hotel
Labels: media
15 Comments:
This latest nationalisation move sounds ridiculous. I can understand them replacing 20,000 expat secretaries with locals, that's easy pickings. I dont know, though, how many local women will be willing to work those hours at a little more than that pay (certainly not AT that pay). However local women seem to be a lot more willing to work at non-managerial jobs than the men. Due credit to them for that.
The bit I dont get is insisting on replacing the HR managers with locals. They keep hollering about a free market economy and demand and supply and all that academic crap, while trying to thrust such economic nightmares down the business community's throat. While their intentions might be good, they dont realize that by replacing one of the most important positions in a company, an inexperienced person could easily lead the entire company to hell! Its hard to see how companies can grow and become more competitive when the HR manager was hired not because he was the best person for the job, but because he or she was a local.
There will certainly be talented and qualified nationals for these jobs. But I dont think they have enough trained and experienced locals to fill in all these positions. Just how companies are expected to make a profit with a rookie running the HR department, I dont know.
If they ever plan to implement a full-fledged press censorship, I bet they are going to hire you as the PR manager!
Now thats not exclusively for UAE nationals as yet, SD?
This latest employment drive is the most laughable one yet! Have you read some of the comments regarding the article by locals? They really do not understand how it works do they. They really don't get that to achieve gainfull employment requires you to be fully qualified and experienced and supply those skills at a market determined competitive price.
Having workied with Tanmia in the past on various media projects I see the irony of a department that has serious communicatoin issues and are highly inefficient. they are trying but don't have the skills and experience.
Well I would have thought it was the obvious next move to put in place Nationals as HR Managers...dont you!? Just think of the benifits... for starters you never have to be on time because they wont be their to see you arrive late, or leave early.
You could have meetings all day that have no agenda because you have to spend the first month getting to know your clients in the customary fashion of making non productive small talk so as not to offend anyone.
It would be ok to drive as fast as possible in a bumper to bumper convoy on your way to Hatta for a weekend team building training course.
You never have to wish anyone happy birthday agian in the office or buy them a cake because birthdays are no longer important.
Delegation of your duties to anyone within reach is welcome as long as you dont have to get off your seat.
You would also have 10 times more chairs in the office than there are employees in case your family wants to visit you and watch you work. and the list goes on...and on....and.
Success has many Mothers but Failure is an Orphan.
With the HR law about to be introduced ...The Futrue is Blique my fellow expats.
Just think how many local families will be working within the one company....wooowwww wont that be just fantastic, sitting there with your mum, dad ,brother, sister. Knowing that they to can arrive at a place that expats call work and of all things....GET PAID FOR IT!
It appears that UAE management have realised the country is now up and running from everyone elses (expats) hard work and now its time to reclaim what they could never ever acheive on their own. How better than to start from the inside out. As if it wasnt bad enough to have a local family as a partner now they are invilved in the hiring process....someone stop me from going insane!
Ultimately what they havent yet picked up on is that ultimately the Manager has the last say and can override the HR managers decision at any time.So lets hope they dont try and enforce Locals as Mangers....Now that would be
sacrificing the country and putting it back 50 years wouldnt it.
Some how I think they know their limits in changing business, and HR Managers are like Directors...a waste of time, space and money. All you need is a proficient Team leader which is rare in any company.
The problem is not with the the HR people. Tell me the last time you ever met a competent one! it's the secretary's who run this country, and this law, may see the best people out of a job!
http://www.7days.ae/2006/06/25/jobs-for-nationals.html
Check out the debate here; very amusing, because it wasn't moderated.
so guys, is it that u care alot about the country more than its nationals or is it because Emirtization is a threat to u as expats?
I think I know the answer already !!
first of all its so improper to talk this way about locals and about this country because they helped u as much as u helped them build this country>>>there should be more respect for this land>>>i agree that they should have more experience >>but that doesnt mean we r all just coming out of jungle>>there r lots of local people who r pro's in thier work>>just have a look at the most successefull companies here>>its all emirati>>this country was built on the vision of its leaders not only by expacts>>>just be reasonable people and stop thinking about money >>>>
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This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Response to Anonymous,
"so guys, is it that u care alot about the country more than its nationals or is it because Emirtization is a threat to u as expats?"
I agree with most of your comments, however, I am curious to get your point of view on my thoughts.
There are hundreds of folks like I, who are second and third generation expatriates - born and raised in the UAE and have been sort of "forced" to move out and seek a home and career elsewhere because we were unable to make UAE our home. Most of these individuals have fantastic global experiences and education from reputable international schools. However most of they suffer from a “refugee” syndrome i.e. have perhaps have the best life has to offer but no place to call home.
I cannot call NYC, the UK or India my home. My folks moved to the UAE in 1969 when there was practically nothing – I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and it was just a plain simple life. I don’t care if the UAE is the wealthiest or the poorest nation – I wish I could “belong” to this place I want to call home and participate in its growth.
Instead of the many new expatriates coming into the country, I wish the UAE govt, give some sort of stable preferences/recognition to second and third generation expatriates, (ofcourse academics and work experience withstanding) that truly care for the place.
There are second and third generation expatriates who just like Emaritis, are willing to participate in order to put the UAE above all other countries and their own individual self development - so that this country and it's future generations both Emaritis and "Native Expatriates" alike can have a solid country supported by a buoyant and growing economy with peaceful coexistence.
Take the instance of my youngest brother – all but 25 he graduated from NYU with Bachelors in computer science, GPA of 3.62 was on the Dean’s list etc. On graduation he was fortunate to have opportunity with Deloitte consulting in NYC. Having been born in Dubai in 1980 and lived there his entire life, baring university years, he chooses to move back “home” after 4 years in NY.
It's been two years and counting - he has had no luck finding a job – often he finds that the new expat population, especially the ones from Asia, India/Pakistan – “reserve” jobs for their own immediate relatives/friends. They offer minuscule pay and even if he’s called for an interview, it seems nothing but a farce with no ethics whatsoever.
Like for instance, he was recently called for an entry level Computer programmer’s position with an advertised salary of Dhs 4500. Towards the end of his interview, the HR manager (an Indian from Bangalore) tells him, “do you know I can get 3 people from India and pay each of ‘em Dhs1500 a month instead of hiring one person”? My brother promptly responded , “well then I encourage you to hire them” – and walked out.
The sad thing is often opportunities are kept in wraps, till their “own” is hired and I have seen this so many times across the UAE. Whilst there are educated and qualified Emaratis and second generation individuals (like my brother) who in spite of being born in the UAE, has had excellent academics – have to spent the past two years - flying in and out of the country on visit visas - looking for an opportunity with a company which has some ethics – all because he wants to have be at “home”.
On top of this trauma, the UAE government, continues to tell people who have spent their entire lives in a land, "Thank you for your wonderful help, it is time to please move on and by the way you have got 18 months to go home" - go home where - to Mars?
Every country needs permanent human resources in order to continue to grow & exist - look at all the successful countries across the world, be it the US, UK, the EU states or Singapore - they all recognized the need for immigration for continued successful existence of these countries.
I am just curious and baffled why is the UAE government and it's citizens so afraid and wary - that they continue to drive second/third generation UAE born souls out of the UAE - at the same time continue to bring in more and more of brand new expatriates - when it is these second/third generation UAE born souls (just like the Emaratis) who perhaps truly care for the well being and success of this country?
Dear blogrosh
I believe that there should be a law and regulation to give expats citzenship. I do believe also that 2nd and 3rd generation should be given priorities.
However even if a new law has been implementet, there are things that the government wouldnt condescend. Any one who applies have to be muslim, know arabic, wear like the Emiratis.
He should act like any other Emirati.
Our identiy, culture and tradition comes before our economical progress.
Dear Anonymous,
"However even if a new law has been implement, there are things that the government wouldn't condescend. Any one who applies have to be Muslim, know Arabic, wear like the Emiratis."
I do not think anyone is asking for citizenships - I would love to have some sort of a permanent resident/stable recognition.
I understand and share your sentiments re: losing UAE's identity. Believe me you, I realize your worries. Hence I am not pushing for any sort of democratic reform, citizen by birth rights etc - as I understand, this is a very young country, still in infant years compared to most contries across the world.
In response to your comment, just have to say - I am a Christian, I have no intention to change that aspect of my individuality.
However, I speak Arabic, I have Emarati friends (so does my brothers) I am a huge fan of Arabic music, I have pairs of formal dishdasha, head-piece - guthura. I think I am aware and do respect the UAE culture.
Even after 6 years on NYC, I do not eat Ham/pork - I purchase only halal meat and during Ramadan, I never eat/drink in front of my Muslim colleagues and friends. I could go on and on about this....
Perhaps you can please realize, someone who've been born and raised in a country for 30 years - perhaps is "aware" and knowledgeable about that country's traditions and ways of working hence may HAVE already blended into the society?
People like I are considered expats everywhere we go. I have a British citizenship and a US Green card -but no place to call home, because I have never lived in the UK or India(my dad is Brit, my mom's Indian) - NYC, inspite of being so damn metropolitan cannot be my "home".
Every year for Christmas holidays, I go "home" to Sharjah - just to be with friends, walk around the neighborhood and to stay in touch with my roots. I love hearing the call for prayers, seeing the annoying SUV's, swallowing as many shwarmas I can get my hands on - and just cruising away to KhorFakan, Dibba or Fujairah...
I can only hope,pray and debate - for a positive change before my lifetime....
However, knowing that there perhaps are some Emaratis out there, who perhaps "recognize" the second/third generation expats -is sort of comforting and a healthy start.
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